Loire Valley Flashcards by Erik Elliott

Which region of the Loire Valley is considered its largest and most diverse?

Anjou

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Anjou Villages-Brissac covers the same 10 communes of production as what other appellation?

Coteaux de l’Aubance

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If a bottle is labeled sur-lie where must it come from? When is bottling permitted?

Must come from land qualifying for one of the three sub appellations:

Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine
Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire
Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu

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What is “Hermine d’Or”? What does it indicate?

An unofficial label term that promotes terroir and stresses ageability. Longer lees aging than the Sur Lie designation

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What direction do the best vineyards of Savenièrres face? What is the main soil type here?

South

Schist mixed with volcanic debris

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What is the climate like in the Central Vineyards?

Continental with cold winters and brisk days during harvest and bud break brings danger of frost and short summers do not assure easy ripening.

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How do the wines of Pouilly-Fumé theoretically differ from those of Sancerre?

More flint in the soil gives Pouilly-Fumé a theoretically more flinty character

Also there has been experimentation with new oak and the results are more akin to white Bordeaux than classic Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc

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What additional grape other than Chenin is allowed in Vouvray, but seldom encountered?

Orbois (Menu Pineau)

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What is the main red grape of Orléans? White? Main red for Orléans-Cléry?

Pinot Meunier is the main red grape for Orléans

Chardonnay is the main white grape

Orléans-Cléry is made exclusively from Cabernet Franc

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What are the two unofficial subappellations of Savenièrres and which is a monopole of Nocolas Joly?

Coulée de Serrant (Joly’s)

Roche Aux Moines

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What is the nickname of the Loire Valley?

Jardin de la France

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What kind of vintage sees a higher percentage of grapes destined for sparkling wine production? Styles of this created?

Cooler vintages

pétillant and mousseux

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What is the climate of the Pays Nantais like?

Cool, wet, and maritime

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Anjou and Saumur are often considered collectively, but which is an eastern suburb of the other?

Saumur is an eastern suburb of Anjou

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What is the main grape for red/rosé and whites respectively for wines produced in the Coteaux du Loir AOP?

Mostly Pineau d’Aunis for red/rosé

100% Chenin Blanc for white

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What is Chenin Blanc known as in in Anjou?

Pineau de la Loire

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Cabernet Franc is actually from what region that is shared by France and Spain?

Basque Country

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What is the difference between white wine produced in Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny?

Wines from Cheverny are dominated by Sauvignon Blanc

Cour-Cheverny is produced from 100% Romorantin

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Saumur AOP blanc is comprised of mostly what grape? Which grapes may make up a combined 20% of the rest?

Chenin Blanc with up to 20% combined Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc

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What appellation of Muscadet is considered a source for leaner expressions, but can be an excellent source in warmer vintages?

Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP

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Where does the Loire Valley stand in regards to white wine production in France? Sparkling wine?

Produces more white wine than any other French region and second only to Champagne in sparkling wine production

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Red Cheverny AOP wine is made from what two grapes?

Pinot Noir and Gamay

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What is the main white grape of the Pays Nantais? What was it originally used for upon its arrival via the Dutch in the 17th century?

Melon de Bourgogne

Used in the 17th Century by the dutch as distillation fodder

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What is Cabernet Franc known as in the Loire Valley? Malbec? Groslot?

Breton (Cabernet Franc)
Côt (Malbec)
Folle Blanche (Groslot)

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What is the grape of Sancerre Rouge?

Pinot Noir

The two appellations of Chinon and Bourgueil are considered to produce the most age-worthy expressions of Cabernet Franc in the Loire Valley. In what larger region are they located within? Samur-Chamigny is located in what larger are?

Tourraine Saumur is where Saumur-Champigny is located

Wines from Châteaumeillant AOP are principaly made from what grape in red and rosé style?

Gamay

What are the three soil types found in Chinon and where are they located on the slope?

Tuffeau (slopes) Clay Varennes (closer to the river Vienne

White wine made in Pouilly-sur-Loire is made from what grape?

Chasselas

To ensure lighter, fresher character, Muscadet wines show best at what % abv and below?

12%

What is the dominant soil type in Vouvray?

Tuffeau limestone

Where does this Loire Valley begin and where does it end?

Pays Nantais on the Atlantic Coast to the Central Vineyards of the Upper Loire in the exact geographical center of France

What styles of wine are permitted in Saumur AOP? Which is excluded?

Red, dry white, and sparkling white ROSÉ is not authorized!

For a bottle of Muscadet labeled by Cru Communaux, from what soils must the fruit come from? For how long must these wines be aged sur-lie?

Must come from specific schist soils and must spend a minimum of 18 months sur lie longer than actual sur lie term allows.

Chinon, Bourgueil, and St-Nicholas-de-Bourgueil all allow the addition of 10% of what grape? Which of the three permits the production of white wine? What grape?

10% Cabernet Sauvignon is allowed Chinon allows for blanc production from 100% Chenin Blanc

What are the four dominating soils found in Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Main?

Gneiss Silica Clay Granite

If a wine is labeled Anjou-Villages AOP, will it be red, white, or both? What is the dominant grape? Which grape makes up a significant proportion in combination with this grape?

Red! Cabernet Franc is the dominant grape Cabernet Sauvignon makes up a significant rest of the proportion.

Name three rosé appellations in Anjou-Saumur, two of which make the style exclusively.

Cabernet d'Anjou and Cabernet de Saumur make the style exclusively Haut Poitou

Which villages are allowed to append their name to Touraine-Villages AOP?

``` Mesland Azay-le-Rideau Amboise Oisly Chenonceaux ```

What are the four appellations of Muscadet in the Pays Nantais? Which is the most seldom-used? Why is this?

Muscadet AOP Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOP Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOP Muscadet AOP is most seldom used, because most producers qualify for one of the other three sub-appellations

What style does Coteaux du Vendômois specialize in? From what grape?

Specialized in dry vin gris rosé wines from 100% Pineau d'Aunis, but Blanc and Rouge are also made here.

What is the rosé only appellation of Touraine that was created in 2001? What grapes are permitted? Which makes up the majority?

Touraine Noble-Joué ``` Pinot Meunier (Min 40%) Pinot Gris (Min. 20%) Pinot Noir (Min 10%) ``` Pinot Meunier makes up the majority (Min. 40%)

White wines in Valencay AOP are dominated by what grape? Red/Rosé?

``` White: Sauvignon Blanc (Min. 70%) Orbois, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Gris ``` ``` Red: Gamay (30-60%) Pinot Noir (Min. 10%) Cot/Malbec (Min. 10%) Cab Franc (Max. 20%) ```

What is the minimum time a bottle of Crémant de Loire must rest on its lees? Saumur Mousseux? What is the minimum atm it must be bottled under?

Cremand de Loire: Min. 9 months on its lees prior to degorgement, may not be released for a Min. 12 months Saumur Mousseux (Traditional Method): Min. 9 months on its lees

Describe the expression of young Savenièrres and what it becomes with age.

Austere and rigid in youth, but develop great complexity and honeyed richness with age

Which two Touraine Villages white wines must be made from 100% Chenin Blanc? Sauvignon Blanc?

Amboise and Azay-le-Rideau must be made from 100% Chenin Blanc Oisly must be made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc

St-Pourçain rosé is made from 100% of what grape?

Gamay

In what styles is Coteaux de l’Aubance produced in? What is the minimum RS required for wines of both styles?

SGN and Blanc 34 g/L for both

45% of Anjou’s total production is devoted to rosé. What is the dominant grape of this style?

Grolleau

What is the appellation of Quincy notable for in relation to Châteauneuf-du-Pape? What kind of wine is produced here? Grape?

Notable for being the second demarcated appellation in France following CDP Sauvignon Blanc is the sole grape.

What are the three primary white grapes of the Loire Valley?

Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet)

In what styles according to RS is Vouvray made in? List the corresponding RS values. Which is always made from Botrytized grapes?

Sec: 0-4 g/l (or 9 g/l if TA is within 2 g/l of RS) Demi-Sec: 4-12 g/l (or 9-18 g/l if TA is within 2 g/l of RS) Moelleux: 12/18-45 g/l may be made from botrytized grapes Doux: >45 g/l may be made from botrytized grapes

What are the three soil types of Sancerre? What are each composed of?

Silex: Composed of a higher proportion of flint Terres Blanches: Continuation of the same Kimmeridgean clay that extends into Chablis Caillotes: Stony soil, littered with fossils.

Reuilly red, rosé, and white wines are produced from what three grapes respectively?

``` Sauvignon Blanc (white) Pinot Gris (rosé) Red (Pinot Noir) ```

Nearly half of the production of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Main is bottled sur-lie. What does this mean and what does it add to the wine?How long must the wine rest on its lees?

This means that the wine has been left to rest on its lees for a prolonged period of time following vilification to add complexity, richness, and a slight sparkle to the finished wine. Wine is kept on its lees (in either tank or barrel) after fermentation until at least March 1 of the year following harvest.

For how long must a Saumur AOP sparkling wine spend on its lees prior to release?

9 months on the lees with

White wines labeled Fiefs Vendéens must be comprised by a minimum of 60% of what grape? Rosé requires minimum 80% of what grapes?

Chenin Blanc Gamay and Pinot Noir (Rose)

For wines produced in Saumur AOP and Anjou AOP, which can be bottled as itself and the other but not vice versa?

Saumur can be bottled as Anjou AOP but not vice versa

Which Touraine AOP bottling requires 100% Gamay? What style is this typically made in?

Touraine Primeur Rouge Made in nouveau/primeur style

Which 7 villages are allowed to append their name to Coteaux du Layon appellation? Which is considered “Premier Cru”? If one of these villages is listed what prerequistes must be met that distinguish them from basic Coteaux du Layon?

``` Faye Rochefort Rablay Beaulieu St. Aubin St. Lambert Chaume (Premier Cru) ``` If village is listed: Min Must weight - 238 g/l Max yield - 30 hl/ha Min Potential Alc - 15% (12% acquired, or 11% if potential alc is 9% or higher) ``` If Premier Cru Listed: Min Must weight - 272 g/l Max yield - 25 hl/ha Manuel harvesting in successive tries Min Potential Alc - 16.5% (11% acquired) ```

Which grape is not permitted in the production of Montlouis-sur-Loire that is permitted in Vouvray? Where is MSL located in relation to Vouvray?

Orbois is not permitted South of Vouvray across the Loire River

What are the two dominant soil types of Saumur AOP?

Tuffeau limestone Iron-rich limestone with shale

How does Jasnières AOP wine compare to Vouvray?What is it a sub appellation of?

Similar to Vouvray, but often more green and herbaceous Coteaux du Loir

Which region in the Loire Valley is considered the center for sparkling wine production?

Saumur

What is the minimum RS in Coteaux du Layon? What about for Coteaux du Layon Chaume? What was it prior to 2011? Quarts de Chaume?

Coteaux du Layon: 34 g/L Coteaux du Layon Chaume 1er Cru: 80 g/L (was 68 g/L) Quarts de Chaume: 85 g/L (was 34 g/L)

For Fiefs Vendéens Rouge, those produced in Brem and Pissotte require min 50% and min 20% of what grapes? In Chantontonnay, Mareuil, and Vix the blend requires a minimum of 50% and 20% of what grapes? All require the minimum 10% of what grape?

Brem & Pissotte: 50% Pinot Noir and min 20% Cabernet Franc Chantontonnay, Mareuil, Vix: 50% Cabernet Franc and 20% Pinot Noir All require a minimum of 10% Negrette

What is the most recently created Muscadet appellation? When was this?

Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOP (Est. 1994)

What are the soils like in Bourgueil? St-Nicholas-de-Bourgueil? What is the style like in the latter as a result?

Sand and Limestone (Bourgueil) Lighter alluvial soils create a lighter style in St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil

What two nested appellations exist within Coteaux du Layon? Which is entitled to the grand cur moniker from the 2010 harvest forward?

Bonnezeaux AOP | Quarts de Chaume AOP (entitled to Grand Cru moniker from 2010 forward)

What are the grapes of Coteaux du Giennois AOP for red/rosé and white respectively?

``` Sauvignon Blanc (white) Pinot Noir and Gamay (reds and rosé) ```

In what village is Bonnezeaux located?

Thouarcé

White wines labeled as Anjou AOP must be comprised mostly of what grape? What grapes combined can make up to 20% of these wines in a blend?

Chenin Blanc Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc can make up to 20% of the blend of Anjou Blanc

What is the grape of Coteaux du Layon? Do all of the grapes have to be affected by botrytis? What other larger appellation nearby must be harvested in tries? How does it compare to Sauternes?

Chenin Blanc No But harvesting in tries is mandatory, grapes can have pure late harvest flavors from passillerage and/or botrytis. Coteaux de l'Aubance must be harveseted in tries Compared to Sauternes it has a minimum RS of 34 g/L compared to Sauternes 45g/L so it is less rich and unctuous than Sauternes, but very versatile at the table.

Less than how many cases of Quarts de Chaume are produced each year? In what village is this AOP located?

Less than 10,000 cases Rochefort-sur-Loire

Which Muscadet appellation accounts for over 80% of Muscadet production?

Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine

What is the name of the Touraine’s largest and most important white wine region?

Vouvray

What is the name of the most southern and remote appellation in Loire Valley?

Côtes d'Auvergne

What grapes comprise red and white wines labeled Coteaux d’Ancenis AOP respectively?

Malvoisie (Pinot Gris) for whites Gamay for Rouge/Rosé

What are the ten grapes permitted in sparkling Saumur production? (4 white/6 red)

``` Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Grolleau Gris (white) Gamay Pinot Noir Pineau d'Aunis Grolleau Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon ```

What are the three dominant red grapes of Saumur Rouge AOP?

Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Pineau d'Aunis

Saint-Pourcain blanc is made from mostly what grape? Rouge?

Blanc: Chardonnay (50-80%) Sacy (Tressalier) (20-40%) Sauvignon Blanc (Max. 10%) Rose: Gamay (100%) Rouge: Gamay (40-75%) Pinot Noir (25-60%_

What two appellations produce wines soley from Gamay in the style of Beaujolais and are actually much closer to Lyon and Beaujolais than the rest of the Central Vineyards?

Côtes du Forez AOP | Côte Roannaise AOP

The red and white wines of Menetou-Salon are made from what grapes respectively?

Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir

What are the three subzones of Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Maine?

Clisson Le Pallet Gorges

Who are the two best producers of Quarts de Chaume?

Domaine des Baumard Château Pierre-Bise

Sauvignon Blanc currently dominates white wine from Touraine AOP but a new encépagement mandates that which grape must be present in the blend at a maximum of 20%?

Sauvignon Gris

In regards to Anjou Rouge, which grape dominates? Which grape is not allowed to blended in? When bottled varietally what will the label read?

Cabernet Franc dominates Gamy cannot be blended in. It must be bottled varietally as Anjou Gamay